Configuring a second instance of IBM Cognos BI on one computer

To have more than one instance of IBM® Cognos® Business Intelligence on one computer, you must configure each instance with unique values for ports, the web server virtual directory, and content store database.

Before you begin

For the new version of the product, you require a new content store. If you are upgrading your entire content store, create a content store from a backup of your existing content store. If you are moving your content with deployment archives you can create a blank content store database.

Ensure that you have your new content store database in place before you configure the new version of the product.

Important: If you are connecting to a backup of your content store, the first time you start your IBM Cognos services, you are prompted to upgrade your reports. Upgrading your reports can take a long time, and it is better to upgrade them after you have the new version running. You can upgrade your reports afterwards using IBM Cognos Administration.

Procedure

  1. For the new instance of IBM Cognos BI, start IBM Cognos Configuration.
  2. In the Explorer window, click Environment.
  3. Ensure that the port numbers for the following settings do not conflict with your other instance or version of IBM Cognos BI:
    • Dispatcher URIs for gateway
    • External dispatcher URI
    • Internal dispatcher URI
    • Dispatcher URI for external applications
    • Content Manager URIs
  4. Ensure that the Gateway URI uses a different virtual directory or alias than your other instance or version of IBM Cognos BI.
  5. Click Logging, and ensure that the Local log server port number is unique.
  6. If you are using Portal Services, update the applications.xml file location:
    • In the Explorer window, click Environment > Portal Services.
    • In the Properties window, ensure that the port number for the Location of applications.xml property matches the port number for the other URI properties.
  7. In the Explorer window, under Data Access > Content Manager, ensure that you do not use the same content store that is used for your other instance or version of IBM Cognos BI.
  8. Save the configuration, and start IBM Cognos BI.
Parent topic: Install and configure a new version of the product